The CSIRO's 30-metre-high solar tower is surrounded by 450 custom designed heliostats that concentrate the sun's rays to a central tower receiver. In contrast to solar photovoltaic panels, which convert the sun's rays into electricity, the process generates temperatures of up to 1500 degrees Celsius, which can be used to drive a turbine for producing electricity.

(Credit: John Marmaras)

Unlike most concentrated solar thermal power stations, the facility does not require the use of water. It will initially be used to develop and test a 200kW solar air turbine, which generates electricity by compressing and heating air. The turbine also does not require water for cooling, making it suitable for remote areas or where water supply may be an issue. In times of intermittent solar coverage, the turbine can also be driven using natural gas.

(Credit: John Marmaras)

The facility, which covers an area of 4000 square metres, will operate as an international hub for solar tower research, development and commercialisation in areas such as solar energy storage, high-temperature steam generation, solarised fuels and thermoelectric generators. It has already entered into partnership with two international organisations: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Spain's Abengoa Solar.

Watch the video below for a graphical representation of how the solar tower operates.

The facility, which covers an area of 4000 square metres, will operate as an international hub for solar tower research, development and commercialisation in areas such as solar energy storage, high-temperature steam generation, solarised fuels and thermoelectric generators. It has already entered into partnership with two international organisations: Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Spain's Abengoa Solar.

Watch the video below for a graphical representation of how the solar tower operates.